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The San Diego Fine Art Society will soon be transforming empty storefront windows into Phantom Galleries filled with colorful art displays you can view as you walk by. The current popularity of Phantom Galleries can be credited to Brian Eder and Cherri Lakey of Two Fish Design in San Jose in 2000. The concept is simple and brilliant: "Commumity artists have come together to enliven street-level downtown windows and public spaces with colorful exhibits and installations viewable 24/7 from the sidewalk." Downtown revitalization committees in several cities have co-opted the idea, and San Diego will soon join the many cities that have renewed the magic in the daily journey downtown. 

Phantom Galleries increase awareness of the importance of local artists in the cultural and economic development of a city. Bringing art to the people is a great opportunity for emerging artists to not only get noticed, but to answer the call to bring more art and culture to the streets of San Diego. Best of all, viewing art will no be longer limited to museums and galleries. Anyone walking by can have a colorful, art filled gallery experience. A Phantom Gallery brings intriguing, vibrant and handmade creative expressions into the lives of people.  

Graffiti was the only way for an artist to get exposure beyond conventional exhibits. Graffiti artists of the 70’s and 80’s like Keith Harring and Kenny Scharf brought their art to the people by painting on abandoned buildings and walls in New York City subways. They had to work fast in the night, using aerosol spray cans. Graffiti still had a certain outlaw allure. It was (and still is) illegal and the artists took real risks — of being arrested and of physical injury — in doing the things they did. Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf and Jean-Michel Basquiat, who were involved in graffiti—now coined Urban Art; became major stars. Eventually works on canvas and paper by the ex-underground artists were showing and selling in fancy galleries in New York, Europe and Japan. This is the impact of art being put out in the public, in such a direct manner.   As a welcomed departure from risky, illegal tagging, now artists who get involved with Phantom Galleries are welcomed to hang their work right on the street behind a glass window. California cities including Oceanside, Los Angeles, San Jose and others have on going exhibits that surprise passers-by who aren’t expecting to see windows covered with lively, cool exhibits.  

Our mission is to have more art in the public and make neighborhoods vibrant. Empty spaces will be kept occupied and visually appealing. Everyone involved in the concept wins. Property owners who lend their vacant spaces to create temporary gallery spaces benefit by attracting people to look at their spaces for rent or sale and the arts community benefits from an increased amount of free space for the arts.